Organist to play at silent
film showing in cathedral

THE St Edmundsbury Cathedral organ festival has something special lined up for its grand finale.

Next Saturday, the cathedral will host a big-screen showing of the classic silent film, The Phantom of the Opera, with a live improvised accompaniment on the cathedral organ.

The organist, David Briggs, is world-renowned for his accompaniments to silent films and has a background in cathedral music.

James Thomas, the cathedral’s director of music, said: “This is a unique event for the cathedral”

“We are very much looking forward to hearing what David Briggs can make the organ do in response to this classic horror film,” he added.

The film, which will be shown on screens around the cathedral, is the 1925 version of The Phantom of the Opera, staring Lon Chaney.

It will start at 7pm and tickets, priced at £5 for under 16s and £8-£10 for adults, are available from Abbeygate Picturehouse, in Hatter Street, by calling 0871 902 5722, or on the door.

Throughout the year, the new organ at the cathedral, which was completed at the end of November last year, has been showcased with a series of organ recitals, which have proved popular with music lovers in Bury and East Anglia.